Incorporating Swimming into 5x5 program

**garethbyoung** · 15-11-2011 02:49 PM

Hi,

I'm 24 sessions into the 5x5 programme and I've been making great progress in terms of muscle size and definition. I want to continue gaining size and improving definition, but I would quite like to introduce at least one swimming session per week on top of 5x5, because I want to improve my swimming technique for triathlons.

Is this advisable or would it reduce the benefits from the 5x5 programme? If I do introduce swimming, what is the best day to do it? I currently work out on Mon, Weds and Fri and don't do any other exercise at present.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

**Zeigler** · 15-11-2011 03:00 PM

Swimming the same day as you lift would probably stop it eating into your recovery days, but a light swim on rest days could be a good active recovery technique, it depends on how much effort your putting into the session. How long is a swimming session for you btw?

IMO swimming is one of the best things you can for cardio plus it's awesome for posture and back strength.

If your currently bulking then I would just make sure your eating enough to cover the extra work and you should be fine.

**garethbyoung** · 15-11-2011 03:59 PM

Zeigler - thanks for your thoughts.

I get bored of swimming so I generally don't do more than 30 minutes of medium intensity. I agree swimming seems to be the king of cardio activities - I'm always drained afterwards.

**Zeigler** · 15-11-2011 05:56 PM

Cool, 30 mins sounds good.

Again, as long as you eat accordingly you'll be fine. If it were me, I'd do my swimming on the friday after my session and then have a nice weekend relaxing.

Or, you could break it up into 2 15min sessions a week or something to make it a bit less boring for yourself